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Kayihura transfers all Rwenzori police chiefs

Nearly all police commanders in the Rwenzori sub-region have been reshuffled and transferred

Sunday August 3 2014

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In Summary

Moved. Rwenzori Regional Police commander has been transferred to Makerere University as the security officer.

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By Andrew Bagala & Enid Ninsiima

KAMPALA. Nearly all police commanders in the Rwenzori sub-region have been reshuffled and transferred.

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, replaced them with new commanders in a reshuffle that affected 50 senior officers.Gen Kayihura said in a message sent on Friday that the transfers were immediate.

Senior Superintendent of Police Thomas Kasimo, who has been the Rwenzori Regional Police commander, was transferred to Makerere University as the security officer.

Mr Kasimo has been replaced by Superintendent Denis Namuwoza, who has been Kampala Central Police Division commander.The transfers come nearly a month after the July 5 attacks on police stations and army bases in three districts of Kasese, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo in the Rwenzori sub-region that left at least 90 people dead including five police officers.

There were counter-accusations between the intelligence and the police on who was liable for failing to prevent the attacks. The intelligence alleged that they had informed the police about the impending attacks but police failed to act in time. But the police threw back the accusation at the intelligence.

In the Friday police reshuffles, Mr Namuwoza will be deputised by Moses Osega Eliau, formerly the head of Field Force Unit Kampala Metropolitan South.

SSP Joseph Yawe, the Rwenzori Deputy Regional Police Commander has been moved to East Kyoga region in the same position. Kasese District Police Commander Sabila Musani, currently under suspension and investigation, has been replaced by Mr Bob Kagarura, who has been Kayunga District Police Commander.Mr Kagarura has been replaced by Johnson Kiconco from Namayingo Distict.

Mr Samuel Mission was moved from Kalangala District, where he has been the district police commander, to Bundibugyo in the same position. Mr Mission is replacing the suspended Mr Alex Mwine. Mr E. Ojukuna takes over as Kalangala District Police Commander.

Mr Hillary Nuwahereza has been appointed Bundibugyo CIID officer. Similar changes have been made in Kabarole District which neighbours Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko, the epicentre of the attacks. Mr Samson Muyambi from Kira Division has been moved to Kabarole as the officer in charge of station. He is replacing Mr Abdu Mulawa who has been sent to Field Force Unit.

Wamala Police Region that covers Mpigi, Mubende, Mityana and Kyankwanzi districts, was also affected by the transfers.SSP Ovuru Binega, the Wamala Regional Police Commander, has been sent to Naguru Barracks as Deputy Commandant. He has been replaced by Mr Enock Abaine who has been Mubende District Police Commander.

Mr Latif Zake has been appointed Mityana District Police Commander.Gen Kayihura also suspended two senior officers, Mr Henry Kavuma and Mr Badru Kasozi, in Masaka District over discipline.

The suspended Kasese DPC Mr Musani and CCID officer Mr Tumugumye were sent to the Professional Standard Unit (PSU) for investigation over the attacks.

“It is true, and many more officers are being transferred,” said Mr Bakari Bashir Muga, the Rwenzori regional police spokesperson.Mr Tumugumye confirmed he had been suspended.

“We have been suspended according to the message. We shall go to the headquarters and see the way forward,” Mr Tumugumye told Sunday Monitor yesterday.

Mr Bakari said several changes were being done in the region but he was not readily availed with the list of all those who were transferred.

The suspension of officers has caused anxiety among junior police officers who are uncertain of their fate in the ongoing reshuffles.Bundibugyo District Police Commander Alex Mwinemukono and ISP Gatyanga, the Criminal Investigations Officer were arrested last month.

It is alleged that during the July 5 attacks on Bundibugyo Police Station and Kanyamirima army barracks, the two officers were not on duty. They were charged with negligence of duty but they have since been released on bond.